So, I get a message from a woman, a recent graduate, who just became a doctor and she wanted to celebrate her commencement with some headshots.  We emailed back and forth for a while and I could feel her energy in the words of her messages.  I told her I was so proud of her accomplishments and I hadn't even met her yet.  

She walked in and my assistant and I had Pomp and Circumstance playing over the speakers for her.  As I was getting out the iron so we could iron her gown a little bit, we got to talking and come to find out, the house she grew up in was around the corner from my house; we at some point were neighbors for a brief time.  What a small world, right?  Anyway This woman is just beautiful and dynamic and we had a blast during her photo session and when she looked into the camera, she blew..me...away!  I just think everyone should know a little bit more about "Dr. Tricia", so I asked her a few questions...  

WHO ARE YOU, WHAT IS YOUR CAREER?
I am Dr. Tricia Rampersad Clinical Psychologist, YouTuber and Podcaster of The Core Behavioral Therapist. I also am a model and actress.

WHEN & HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON YOUR CAREER PATH?
I was laid off from Corporate after 9-11. I then took the first job after I was laid off and it was for a New Jersey
Non-Profit. My placement was at a homeless shelter for single teenage mothers. I saw one of the mothers left her toddler with another mother, while she went to get high on drugs. The next day the mother was tested positive for cocaine. Therefore, the staff of the shelter reported her to child protective services. I witnessed them ripping the child from her mother’s arms and remembered it clear as day. The cries, devastation and anguish. It broke my heart. That’s when I knew I wanted to help girls like the mother and the child. I felt a calling and decided to get my Masters degree in Counseling & Clinical Psychology. I then got a
specialization and certification in School Counseling.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR CAREER YOUR PASSION OR
CALLING? Both. At first it was a calling that developed into a passion in different spheres of my life.

WHAT ARE 2-3 THINGS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I traveled as Missionary at orphanages, churches, cities and rural villages preaching, praying and helping those in need with food, clothing, school supplies and toys. I also helped women in rural villages with sex education and menstrual hygiene. I did this work in India, Africa, Brazil, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Philippines and many more.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? I love to dance, read, travel,play games, sing, pottery and DJ (I love music).

IF YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOMETHING,
WHAT WOULD IT BE? “You have a huge calling on your life to help people and help heal those who are suffering. Hang on because it is going to be one joyous ride.” 

DO YOU HAVE A MANTRA? OR ANY WORDS TO LIVE BY?
Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all his righteousness and these things will be added onto you.” 
“If you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life again.”
“I am the head and not the tail.”

WHAT DO YOU DO EACH DAY OR A FEW TIMES A WEEK
FOR YOUR OWN WELL BEING? 
I worship to songs, talk to God (pray), I play with my Golden Retriever, make sure I post something that I am
passionate about, when it comes to advocacy, on my social media, I walk or go on my elliptical for at least 30 minutes and I chat with my mom and sister. I also make sure to at least do a mindfulness exercise, such as breathing for a minute. It relaxes me. Walking allows me to also pay attention to nature and my 5 senses when I am walking around nature.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?
How God changed my life in the Philippines. I never saw impoverished children be more happy to see me and my friends when they have nothing. These children had smiles on their faces, ripped clothes on and were barefoot, but still clapped and hugged on me because they were happy we were there to help. I cried for about 20 minutes. I am grateful also to my father, mother and sister. My parents were immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago. 
We are Indo-Caribbean and they sacrificed a great deal for me. My father died when he was 57 from cancer while I was obtaining my doctorate. It was one of the most painful times of my life. But I am grateful in his short time here on earth with me, he was my biggest inspiration and cheerleader. I only wished he were alive and that I made him proud of me. He would tell me I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I am also grateful for my parrot. I grew up with him.

ANY LAST THOUGHTS? 
Believe in your dreams no matter how long it takes. If it is a calling or passion, God
placed it in your heart and will bring it to completion. Run your own race and do not compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy. Love one another and do something kind for someone.

My last thoughts are that I'm so grateful she called ME for her graduation celebration photo session.  Dr. Tricia, I wish you all the best and more success than you could ever imagine for yourself.  Much Love!  xoxo

I'm going to write a bit and add photos later, but I just felt the inspiration to write, so I'm going to blog.
I just read a facebook post from my college roommate, who later would become my co-worker.  Of course this goes back to the years when I was a college student and then young apprentice up in Boston.  New England will always hold a piece of my heart for many reasons, one of them is my old roommate and another is the job we had.  

We went to school to become funeral directors. Yes, some of you already know this about me, to some it may be a surprise.  During our college years, both my roommate, Lauren and I were biology majors even before we got to funeral school, so we had a science background and many of our fellow students struggled with chemistry and biology classes.  We always felt an obligation to help them, in fact we worked as tutors for the entire campus, not just for our major.  When I say the word 'obligation'  I mean it as a sense of pride.  I was proud and honored to be able to help my fellow classmates with their struggles.  I wanted them to succeed and was there to serve, teach and help them through their struggles. We helped a lot of students both inside and outside of tutoring jobs - other students knew we were more than happy to help them study.

One grateful student asked if we wanted jobs after graduation.  Lauren took him up on it, I went back to Jersey and after thinking about it for a bit, I reached out to them and after my interview, he basically said, you had the job before you came in the door, just let us know when you want to start.

They knew I was a hard worker, intelligent, energetic had a positive attitude and wanted to help those around me.  At this job, I worked days and nights, was on call many nights, worked through snow storms, the hottest days when I could feel beads of sweat dripping down my back under a black suit waiting for families on the sidewalk across from Fenway Park in Kenmore Square where one of our funeral home facilities were located; watching all of these cars trying to find parking for the Red Sox game, I was working. (Just for the record I'm a big Yankees fan, although I just love baseball and Fenway Park was always a fun time, although it's no Yankees Stadium!)

Getting back to the job, we were taught that customer service is KEY!  Our boss was a great man, and wanted to make sure that all of his families were more than taken care of, sending them cars to be picked up at their home, the cars were always sent to the car wash at the end of every day, ready for the next family early the next morning.  In fact, god forbid you locked the keys in the car, we were instructed to smash the drivers window if needed so the family isn't waiting or in any type of distress during their time of grief.  The counted on us for everything during the wake and funeral and we delivered.  

If a piece of furniture was scratched or ripped, it was fixed or replaced immediately.  The quality service and goods offered to our clients were the best...the highest quality...it was nothing but the best for our families that we served.  He wanted these grieving families to trust and expect that we had everything taken care of.  If you're in the service industry, you know it can be stressful and adding being a funeral director on top of it, well, you only get one chance to have a funeral and have every detail right.  We took our jobs very seriously for these grieving families.  Our boss and managers had every detail covered and covered over again.  

This was my first career job.  The jobs I had before that were waitress and bartending jobs, which are also service jobs.  I truly believe people should have to serve as a waiter for atleast 6 months of their life, as its an extremely humbling experience and will show you how to treat people, how to be more human, more caring, you'll understand the obligation, the pride and the responsibility we have to all take care of each other.

This leads into my current career as a newborn photographer.  I want everything to be ready when that new mom brings her brand new baby to me.     I want her and dad to worry about nothing!  All of the details are planned out before baby arrives, many times they even visit the studio to see the amenities in the lounge area that I offer for them while they're here.  If parents allow, and they always do, I and my assistant change the baby, we will feed the baby if baby isn't nursing, we will provide a comfortable space for mom to nurse, I will provide a warm comfortable calm environment for parents to rest in during the session.  I will have hair and makeup take care of Mom if she'd like before the family portion of the session, I will have food drinks, as I know from nursing two babies myself, you get really thirsty when breastfeeding your baby.  I will help you out of the car, ask some questions that help me understand the baby a little better. 

After the session, when mom and dad return to see their photos, I usually get to hold baby again for a bit while they sift through their printed images and make decisions on what to purchase.  I'm right there with them, answering all of their questions, we've already discussed some ideas they may be looking for so they're not overwhelmed and exhausted making decisions.

I will order the prints for them, their wall art, their gifts for grandparents, and anything else they decide on.  The great thing is, the digitals they receive will allow them to create their own projects when they ever get the time that is scarce as a parent; however, The great customer service experience I offer comforts my clients, knowing that they won't be spending hours on the internet looking for the best canvas or print company and hoping for the best.  My clients are confident that I've done all of that work for them already and greatly appreciate my service.  My raw file digital images can be handled by professional printing companies that work exclusively with photographers to ensure the right colors and clarity for your portraits whether they be small or wall sized art pieces for your living room, nursery and grandparents.   

I offer props and wardrobe for my clients that are from high quality vendors that have been referred to me by my mentors or other professionals.  Safety is very important to me, so it goes without saying that my assistant and I wear masks the entire time we are hosting a family at the studio.  My assistant is my second set of hands, which is a great help not only with newborns, but in making sure mom and dad are taken care of and if they come with a sibling or pet, my assistant checks in with them, too.  I also check in with nurses several times through out the year to ask of any news on the newborn front in regards to safety regulations, make sure I have the latest information.

As I mentioned, I work with mentors, right now all classes are virtual, however, I cannot wait to go to in person classes with my mentors and coaches again someday. I'm in constant contact with them currently, we're always discussing everything that surrounds a newborn photography business, such as new products for clients, a new service idea, the latest colors, backdrops, props and fashions for babies and moms.  This is all an important part of offering the best and highest quality service for my clientele, that I call my Millie Dee Family. 

I've always been in some type of service industry related job; what I do now is no different, only this time the business is mine.  I own it, my name is on it and I think back to the days of my boss and his high and strict standards for our families at the funeral home and still hold myself to have these same standards for my own business.  Serving the people in my world is an innate part of who I am.   There is still a sense of caring, personal service, obligation and responsibility and I take a lot of pride in saying that I serve every client this way.   

All babies hold a special place in our hearts but when I first learned about Rainbow Babies, my heart grew a little bit more.  I had heard the term before, however, I wasn't fully aware until a friend called her baby a rainbow baby and I learned Rainbow babies are babies that are born after the loss of an infant or a miscarriage.  

Why a "Rainbow Baby"?  Where did the term come from?  Rainbows are seen many times after a storm.  The storm represents the mother's loss, the parent's loss, their family's loss.  When you may feel that all hope is lost, your joy has turned to shock, sadness, anger to name a few of the many emotions that I can imagine being filled with is all part of the grieving.

The strength, hope and faith I can only imagine these mothers have that are determined to grow their family is tremendously strong and deep.  I can't imagine the steps it takes to bring yourself to a place where you're ready to try again.  I can only imagine the questions and precautions taken for that next big step of deciding to be pregnant again after such a loss.  When I hear these stories from moms and dads, I'm always in awe.  Every story is different and SO personal and for them to want to share their story is not lost on me.  

As a photographer, I try to make every picture tell a story.  I think this one speaks for itself.  The mother was gracious enough to share part of her story so I can capture a vision we developed for her children's picture. 

What I didn't know is that if another baby comes along after a rainbow baby, they also have a title, they're a Golden Baby to represent the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Although baby doesn't have a golden swaddle, there is a bit of gold in her headband.   

Babies represent joy, promise, innocence warmth and new beginnings.  These parents will always have three children, they'll always be a family of 5, they'll always find ways to include all 3 babies in their family journey, as represented in some of the thousands of words this photo depicts. ... I used to be a grief counselor a very long time ago, however, I still search for the right words to say sometimes...

Much Love and Gratitude to this family, for sharing part of their story.


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I'd say if my clients and I were to give another word or words for head shot it may be "necessary evil".  I've heard it all, "I'd rather gouge my eyes out, I'd rather sit at DMV, I'd rather go food shopping...etc... than have my headshots taken!"  Oh Dear!  

We all know headshots are a good idea and necessary to portray "a thousand words" in the picture.  
Of course there's your daily physical appearance to consider, however, what else goes into the look of a headshot?  Well...I'd say there's quite a bit that I think about when bringing in a client for a headshot.
As a photographer, I consider what you do for a living?  What is the level of professionalism you want to portray?  How about your personal traits, right?  Your photo should portray your personality, yes?  What are the top 3 things you want to say about yourself professionally?  How about top 5 things?  

It's so much more than what color to wear and what should my hair look like? You want the photo to be age appropriate and depending on what you do, perhaps it should portray a serious feel, perhaps creativity, warmth, fun, or another aspect of your personality.  In other words, focus more on your personality and allow aesthetics to be secondary.  Portray your charm, charisma, what makes YOU your awesome SELF.  That's what people will connect with.
  
We're all concerned about our looks, just look at how popular selfies and mirrors are.  This is where the professional photographer comes in.  Have a pre-session discussion about what to bring,  how to bring your "A-Game", what to wear, what colors & styles to wear, how your hair and makeup should look.  I offer a week-to-week guide to my clients depending on how much time they have before their appointments.  This is all part of 'branding'.   

I offer suggestions on everything from complexion and wardrobe to practicing your smile and gaze.  I recently had a woman coming in for a headshot and she's telling me she's nervous and going to need some help. Well, that's what I'm here for!  I want to get this RIGHT for you!  You're not in front of a professional's camera every day, I know it can be a little stressful and perhaps uncomfortable, so I'm going to help turn those feelings around into confidence and relief.  We talked, I guided her through it and this is where your professional photographer and you have a meeting of the minds.  I think it's important to "BRING IT!".  I know I'm bringing My A-GAME, it's important that you do the same and I'm going to show you how to bring your A-game for best results.  What do I mean?  Do a little prep work; professional hair and makeup can make a big difference, not only for how you look but for your confidence level as well.  Have your clothes chosen, prepped and dry cleaned for your big day. The more you prepare, the smoother your session will be and you'll be prepared for untimely little things like waking up with a pimple or how about this- I had a guy come in with donut powder on his sleeve...(you know who you are!), I laughed - it's part of who he is, right?  (but we werent' showing that in camera), so we cleaned it up and hey, stuff like this happens for sure and we can cover these little things but bringing your A-game will help your confidence level and THAT, my friend is what will come across in camera.  

Then there's what I call the "P- Word" PHOTOSHOP - YES, let's discuss this photoshop thing... What does photoshop mean to you?  I can tell you for me, what it doesn't mean.  It doesn't mean you're going to end up looking like Jennifer Aniston, Lopez or Lawrence, or Brad Pitt, Lenny Kravitz or Thor.. You want to look like YOU! There's only one of you and let's get that awesomeness to SHINE!  Yes, some wrinkles will get ironed out, skin blemishes, I may even thin you out a little perhaps but I'm not going to make you look like someone else all together.   Think about it... if your headshot says one thing about you and a client shows up and you look totally different, what does that say?  What level of trust is there?   What level of confidence does that portray to a potential client?  Just keep that in mind... 

These two black and white photos are ME...YEP- this is me...I wanted a new headshot and some moody images this time instead of the bright white happy clean headshot look.  The left one isn't even edited yet, however, I wanted to show you unedited, too.  I'm just like you, I have insecurities.  I feel like a troll, I'm only 5 feet tall and that's if I stretch lol... I'm a little heavier than normal right now, my roots are getting done next week so right now they're out of control, I don't like certain features, ugh.  I can go on, can you relate?  Does it matter?  A little yes, but it's the fun, the moody shadows, the textures & dimension that I wanted to stand out in these photos and..of course...some personality, too.  This was MY very own almost VOGUE moment, with me both in front of and behind the camera as I'm using a remote control to click my camera and set off my strobes.  

So, really, what it comes down to is this...don't worry about being perfect.  Please please don't let your insecurities get the best of you.  We ALL have them.  Let me put you in some good lighting, let your guard down, let's have a few laughs to help that personality shine through.....just be YOU! Let the confident, awesome YOU shine through for the perfect headshot! 

So, yes, I'm offering a headshot day, Friday, February 19th of this year.  I'm debating on calling it something like, "I'd rather spend the day at DMV" day, what do you think?  To schedule your appointment, email me for more information through the contact page on my website:  Contact Morris County NJ Portrait Studio | Millie Dee Photography  that will start the consultation process.   Sessions will run up to 30 minutes in studio, however, the prep time depends on YOU.  I'm happy to help you and guide you through what I hope will be a wonderful experience.  
I hope that you would trust me to guide you through the headshot process!  
Thanks,
​Denise  

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Ah!  I'm "gettin' real" in this blog!  It's January 2021, we are still in the middle of our Covid style of life, I recently moved my studio and with that came along higher rent, more overhead, so, with all of this comes such pricing adjustments. 

Being a business owner and a creative are like oil and water sometimes, they don't mix very well.  I'm getting real with you in this blog.  I have mentors...Several mentors, some are more communicative than others.  I understand we're all just people all with the best of intentions and trying to do our best and right now, I'm a very in need of help with my brand and business model, however, with good advice also comes some bad advice, hence the growing pains.  I'm paving out a rocky road in my journey right now.  

I need to figure out a way to price my services and products I'm offering competitively, fairly and still be able to keep my studio.   Mentors are telling me I need an honest cost of doing business analysis, and to keep in mind education costs, medical costs and other things like retirement costs...you know, like a real business when you get a paycheck from a company because guess what, I'm a company. 

How do I do this in a market where alot of my competitors are doing this same thing out of their homes, don't have the overhead that I do, perhaps have help with other costs such as medical and retirement. (I am married and have help with this, however, my husband's business has taken quite-the hit during covid which has forced me to re-evaluate a lot of this....like I said, I'm gettin' real here!)  How do I compete with people that  even do this as a "hobby" and don't pay taxes on the income they take in...  able to offer it "cheaper"?  Do people see the differences in the quality and services that i'm able to offer?  I know we're all a little different; I know as I mentioned I have a few mentors I also am continuously taking new classes, learning new techniques and practicing them.  The learning and improving on my craft and customer service never stops and I love all of it.  

So, yes, I'm a little uncertain about my future with the location move, increased overhead, however, I do believe in myself, my brand and the product and service I offer.  I am forever grateful for my clients, I am forever grateful for my mentors that teach me the most updated styles and safety measures for babies, I am forever grateful for that my job allows me to be creative, which feeds my soul.  (this job is much better than sitting in an office or cubicle in the pharmaceutical world, aka my old world)...

Whether I'm able to continue and offer more product and service and guidance to my clients in 2021, we shall see.    During these rocky, uncertain times and times of change, I have to remember the mantras I have.  One is Dolly Parton's saying about putting up with alot of rain before you get to see that rainbow.  The other is a smooth sea never made for a seasoned sailor.  I say these to other people, I do believe them to be true, I just need to keep repeating to myself to remind myself all of this will work out.  This is all part of the journey.  

The growing pains, the ok I'll say it, anxiety of wondering what the future holds, I'm sure I am being a bit over dramatic, but it's reality.  In the meantime, I'll keep moving forward, and hopefully these rough seas and rocky roads will lead me to the rainbow on the other side.  

Much love.
xo
Denise 

​

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We have less than a month away from the Hallmark holiday that celebrates LOVE.  I think we can all use some extra love and kindness these days so I'm running a special on Deeva Fuel Coffee.  Two bags for $20.  You can keep a bag and share a bag with a friend or loved one or keep both for your home.   Curbside pick up is available at the studio in Landing, NJ or you can have it shipped for a small fee.  
The link to Deeva Fuel is:  deeva fuel coffee (milliedeephotography.com)

Millie Dee Photography Studio in Landing, NJ which is part of Roxbury, which is part of Morris County, New Jersey and very close to Lake Hopatcong is mostly a newborn and maternity photography studio.  I have seen many weary parents walk into the studio and I know how they feel.  I have two children of my own and there were many rough nights and days leading to little or no sleep.  Raising little humans is the most rewarding job, but not for the faint of heart for sure!  

In my studio I have a couch and a massage chair for parents to lounge on while my assistant and I get to photograph their cute little babies.  The get to relax and even doze off for a bit however once the session is over, they're back to being on duty and so this coffee was inspired by new parents.  I curated a dark roast ground coffee with hints of chocolate, anise and raspberry and for me, it just hits the taste buds perfectly, I don't even put sugar in mine, however, I know we all take our coffee differently.  (no k-cups just yet, so far I can just offer bags of the dark roast ground coffee).  

In honor of Valentines Day coming up and just a general feeling of needing to spread happiness, love, joy and all things good, I'm offering a 2 bags for $20 deal with Deeva Fuel now through February 14th.  Curbside pick up is available at the studio during certain hours or it can be shipped to you. 

If you have questions, please reach out milliedee2017@gmail.com
my website:  www.milliedeephotography.com
Follow on Ig: millie_dee_photo or
facebook:  MillieDee Photography

March 7th, 2020 was the weekend before the world shut down.... I was in a maternity portrait training class with the fantastically talented, Diana Robles of Love Print Photography.  After her class, I was so inspired and excited to get some models into the studio to practice what I had learned, however, I couldn't due to Covid, and our lockdowns needing everyone to stay safe.  The world was silent.
I don't know about you, but I an a "note girl".  I have to take notes and practice things time and time again to 'get it'.  I rarely pick up something real quick, so thankfully I had my notes and during the downtime of Covid, I was able to take work as a food photographer for a wonderful business owner, Theresa of Jeremiah's Catering in Lake Hiawatha to keep up my practice.  I feel like photography is like exercise or learning guitar; the benefits show if you're constantly working at it otherwise it will fade.  My kids were so excited that I was photographing food, as we had breads, cakes and muffins delivered to us daily for about a week to photograph.  (Yes, that's when my extra "covid weight"  started, lol).  But I'm so grateful for Theresa, as she gave me hope and kept me working during the down time where no one knew what to expect in the future.
When we were finally able to open up, my model here, was one of the first people I had in the studio.  She and her husband came in, and we had her makeup professionally done and I'm so happy she was open to all types of styles, poses and clothing or lack there of.  
It's a great feeling when you have a vision and make it come to life.  My model did this for me here.  We had a fun session, singing and laughing the entire time, I honestly didn't want it to end.  I think all of that shows here in that WINNER stamp at the top left corner of the photo. 
Many of my clients that have seen this image love it and I do, too.  In fact, I have a large 20x30 framed print of it in the studio.  When you're pregnant, you don't fully feel like yourself; and this to me says you're right, you're not yourself; this is the new you in all of your beauty and simplicity.  It's just her and her baby.  No props needed, not even her face needed, not even COLOR needed....It just her...and her new life; the new life she is bringing into the world and the new life of becoming a mother. 
I'm so grateful I get to photograph beautiful moms to be and have them feel beautiful; some even say they feel prettier than they did on their wedding day.  That is such a compliment.  

​
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Can we just take a moment to GUSH over the joy, the beauty, the LOVE that you feel from this picture?  So much happens when you have a new baby; your entire life changes in an instant.  Time and time again I hear from moms, "I wasn't prepared for the amount of love I'd feel."
Some parents come into the studio and just watch us and stare at their baby during the entire session.  I love my job as I get to witness so much joy.  Mom's smile lit up the room. 

...and then, there are the Dads....Babies bring out the best in them!  I should write a blog and post photos of the Dads and their babies as Dad's smiles are not just big, but deep if that makes any sense.  You can feel the deep sense of love and the pride and joy coming from within them as well.  I have to say, Dads sometimes aren't too sold on the idea of newborn portraits, but I'm so grateful that they're open enough to have the experience; they never regret it. 

This Dad even mentioned it during the session, how he was like 'really?  we need newborn pictures?' We all laughed; He was getting a kick out of watching my assistant and I pose the baby and placing her into certain props.  By the end of the session, he 'got it'.  Portraits, especially family portraits and especially baby's portraits can bring on so much emotion when you look at them.  Mom and Dad will have these moments to share from their session for a lifetime.     

Time is fleeting; every day we get older, every day little teeny babies get bigger and stronger and grow more aware of their world.  These photos will instantly bring them back to how they felt during these first few weeks of the baby's life, the time in our life, the time in each of their lives, what was going on with themselves, with family members, etc.  Seeing a moment in time will not just bring back the memories but the emotions you were feeling during this time in your life, too.  

I think the emotional part of photos may be a little more important to Moms than Dads, however, Dads always end up loving the photos, too.  Dads may even complain a little about having to hang some frames or a canvas on the walls, (by the way, I can get you a guy to do that for you!) but once they're up on the walls in your house, these special moments that are now on your walls help to make your house a home.  A home that you enjoy, a home that is filled with more love, more life and gets more colorful each day.  ​

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Captain obvious here, it's been a heck of a year!  Everyone has been impacted in some way this year, which has brought us a lot of sadness, uncertainty, changes, solitude...and for some of us a lot of calories, too. 
We are all due for some happiness, don't you think so?  During this year, for me personally, I haven't seen my Mom since her birthday dinner, January 2020.  She has not come near any family; in fact, there are many family members we haven't seen.  Both of my children are going through a rough time academically, socially, spiritually and activity-wise, too.  Nothing has been the same for us, which is one of the reasons I've moved my studio closer to home; it allows me to keep a closer eye on my kids while they're learning virtually.
How about you?  How have you been impacted?  It's been a crazy year, however, from what I'm hearing,  there are a lot of babies being born!  Were you part of the covid baby craze?  There are some good things that have happened due to Covid and one of them is growing families.  I'd love to hear if you're celebrating a pregnancy right now! 
It's a weird time for everyone, especially weird for pregnant women as everything from doctor appointments to celebrations are currently so different.  I've had many friends of moms-to-be, Dads-to-be and Grandparents-to-be gift their friends, family, wives/significant others this year with maternity or newborn portrait sessions.  I think it's a great idea!  It is a great way to celebrate as the portrait sessions are a solo experience or shared with your partner and you get to share the end result, your beautiful images with family & friends.  I've created both digital birth announcements for print and also have created slideshow birth announcements for families to be shared on social media.
What great options to have; both a printed birth announcement and printed portraits for your home and for Grandparent's homes and digitally sent as a slideshow so your entire group of family and friends can  feel like they're a little closer to you and your experience.  Your family is so happy for you and are usually looking for ways to celebrate with you during this awkward time in our history.  Portraits are a great way to capture these precious but fleeting moments in time.  Whether you realize it or not, you're making history; not just because you're pregnant during covid, but because you're pregnant! You're growing your family.  You're experiencing a miracle of life.
Amongst these troubled times, its necessary to find normalcy for a healthy mind, body and spirit connection.  It's necessary to find happiness and ways to celebrate.  
As we celebrate the end of 2020, a new and hopefully happy, healthy and prosperous new year, I invite you to celebrate my new studio and I invite you to celebrate YOU!  Let me help you celebrate the new life you're bringing into this world by offering 50% off of a maternity session fee (normally $175) from now through January 1st, 2021.  
You can reach out through the website: www.milliedeephotography.com or call the studio directly 973.805.FOTO, please don't be shy...leave a message as I may be in a session.  
I'd love to celebrate with you!  
Millie Dee Photography; studio photographer.  Serving Morris County & the surrounding area of New Jersey. 

Maternity session fee covers the photo session, use of studio gowns, reveal session; cost of images are in addition to this fee.  

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Congratulations!  You found out you're having a baby!  Now what?  There are so many new things to learn, to research, to dream about, question, worry about already and the baby isn't even here yet.  Will you have morning sickness or not?  Will you have aversions or not?  Will you....have maternity portraits taken or not?  It's a lot to consider.
Of course you want maternity portraits taken, afterall, you're only in this stage of your life for a short time, 9 months (ok, really 10) ten months of your life is so brief, and really, that baby bump shows up about half way through the pregnancy, so there's not much of a window of opportunity in your life to experience a maternity belly.  I loved the feeling of a baby growing inside my body.  One of my favorites was when the baby would have hiccups and I could feel the baby bouncing around.  For me, there was nothing better during my pregnancy.

When is the best time to schedule your portrait session?  The best time to schedule your portrait session is once you start researching and get settled on a style and a photographer; call them or reach out, ask questions; many photographers book up months in advance for maternity and newborn photography so it's best to get on their schedule early.
When is the best time to have a maternity portrait session?  I'd say a good time to have your professional portraits taken is near the end of your second trimester.  This is the time in your pregnancy when you're showing, you're still sleeping and still have energy.  This will allow you to sit comfortably for a hair and makeup session and have the energy for a portrait session.  However, my motto is "any day is a good day for photos".  Which is the truth; there are many times clients for many reasons can't make it into the studio for a session during the end of the 2nd trimester, sometimes they get to the studio just a few weeks before they're delivering and that's fine, too as long as that time frame is ok with you and your doctor.  ​

So, you schedule your session, you get to the studio, try on some of the photographer's gorgeous wardrobe pieces and start your session.  It's a good time to start asking about newborn photos if you haven't already had the discussion about newborn photos.  The newborn photo session is one of the most precious gifts you can give to your family.  You will have these portraits forever, your baby will grow up seeing these photos and you'll use them; anytime your baby graduates...from preschool, from kindergarten, 8th grade, high school, college, etc. you will always be asked for baby photos of your child.  You'll be showing these photos off for decades; and then you'll hand some down to your baby when they're all grown up; perhaps in a baby book, or a desk print.... Oh, I digress.  Back to your photo session; enjoy the session; you may feel a little nervous at first, but a good photographer will make you feel comfortable right away.  By the end of the session, I bet you won't want it to end; you'll want to do this again!  After your session is a great time to ask to see the photographer's newborn work and type of prints and wall art they offer; they may even have pieces at the studio for you to check out.  Discuss what's involved with a newborn session; it's a special type of photography that we newborn photographers love and are constantly learning from; we learn new techniques, the latest safety procedures and precautions, camera and lighting techniques, how to calm a baby and safely pose a baby, etc.  It's a very interesting field of photography so it's a great opportunity to ask all of your questions when you're face to face with your photographer.

After your session, you'll go back to doctor appointments or work or family life or all the above and a few weeks later, you'll have your beautiful maternity images to hold onto forever.  Whether they're in a book or you decide to hang them on your walls, show them off; they are a part of your family's history and this precious time in your life calls for celebration.  Celebrate with photos.  Enjoy!

I am happy to answer any questions you may have about maternity or newborn photo sessions.  I've been involved in photography for over 3 decades and have photographed newborns for 11 years.  Please don't hesitate to reach out milliedee2017@gmail.com.

xo
Denise
Studio location:  172 Landing Road, Landing, NJ   Studio visits by appointment only.  Call to schedule your appointment 973.805.FOTO or 3686.  www.milliedeephotography.com
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